Cyclists are at risk from their own stupidity as they continue to put themselves and the wider public at risk by running red lights, failing to wear cycle helmets and endangering pedestrians by cycling on footpaths. This is well known to New Zealand Police but so far they have failed the walking and cycling community by not subjecting cyclists to same safety checks that motorists frequently encounter. In Australia they take the cycling death toll (second only to motor cyclists as the most at risk road users in NZ) more seriously. As Whaleoil points out today over 300 cyclists were saved from potential harm in a Sydney Police blitz.

CYCLISTS were caught committing more than 300 offences across Sydney yesterday in a police blitz.In a 12-hour crackdown, police targeted cyclists running red lights, riding without helmets and riding on footpaths. The Daily Telegraph was on hand early yesterday as riders were stopped on Oxford St at Darlinghurst after they ran red lights on the busy thoroughfare. We also saw cyclists being fined for not wearing helmets.Interim figures for Operation Pedro, taken about 4pm, showed 250 cycling-related offences across the Sydney CBD. Cyclists were also given infringement ­notices for another 70 non-cycling offences.Traffic and Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the operation was important in preventing road fatalities.“So far this year, four cyclists have died on our roads and that is four too many,” Mr Hartley said.“I urge all cyclists to do the right thing by not putting themselves and other road users at risk.’’Mr Hartley said the chief aim of the crackdown was to save lives by eliminating bad behaviour.

– Daily Telegraph

Whaleoil ends ‘If only the NZ police were as thoughtful and helpful to the NZ cycling community.”

I’m sure all those seeking to improve the road safety record in New Zealand would call on the NZ Police to be more vigilant in saving cyclists from themselves.